New things to do with your best friend

Q. I think National Dog Week is coming up. Can you give us some fun and new ideas of things to do with our best friends?

A. What a fun question! Unfortunately, I got this too late to run it the fourth week of September, which is actually National Dog Week. Here are some ideas for fun with your pooches, anyway.

1. Try a game of "Treat Hide and Seek." Place your dog in its crate or outside. While he cannot see, hide a handful of treats around the house. Your dog's sense of smell is incredible, so you will have a hard time hiding something where he cannot find it. Keep that in mind. I also recommend hiding the treats in safe places. You certainly don't want to encourage your dog to rip sofa cushions to get the treat you hid under it.

SMITH

The first time you play this game you should bring your dog in, show him the treat you left on the middle of the floor and say "find it." You also might have a few treats close to that one so he already has the scent of the next one. When he finds a treat praise him and say "Good boy." You could actually say, "Good boy, you find it."(Yes, I know it's bad English, but your praise should be consistent with your command when you play this game.) After he has found the treats in one room, go to another room and have him search. It won't take him long to learn and look forward to playing. You could even select a new treat you use only for the game.

Note: I recommend you keep this game inside. Playing outside could result in your dog's digging too much.

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Since the smell of the treat remains in the soil for a few days, he might go outside and dig the same spot because he smells the treat.

2. Take your dog on a new adventure this week. Take him on a walk somewhere you've never been. If a car ride to get to the location is involved, that makes it an even more exciting adventure.

3. Take your dog to the pet store and buy it a brand new bone or toy. Or two. Or a basketful! And be sure if you need to do a bank run, do it on this trip for extra treats.

4. Sit on the floor and cuddle with your dog one extra time each day this week.

5. Take fun pictures of your dog and place them on the fridge. And, if you want, send one to me via email and tell me your dog's name.

That is only a small sampling of ideas. Why not send me some emails this week of the fun things you did with your pooches? With your permission, I might use your stories in future columns.

Chandra Lynn Smith owns Best Friend Dog Training. She holds a bachelor's degree in animal bioscience, has eight years experience as a veterinary technician, and is a certified professional dog trainer from the National K9 School of Dog Trainers. She's been training dogs since 1984. You may address your questions to her via email at ChandraLynnS@gmail.com, BestFriendDogTrn@aol.com or by mail to The Evening Sun, c/o Chandra Lynn Smith, 135 Baltimore St., Hanover, PA 17331.

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